Fluid flow controlling apparatus



Nov. 4, 1941.

M. H. GROVE 2,261,364

FLUID FLOW CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR. Marv/n H. Gra l/e ATTORNEY.

Nov. 4, 1941. M. H. GROVE 2,261,364

FLUID FLOW CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIIS E INVENTOR. Marv/r7 firo 6 Patented Nov. 4, 194i UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE FLUID FLOW CONTROLLING APPARATUS Marvin H. Grove, Berkeley, Calif.

Application August 29, 1938, Serial No. 227,243

3 Claims. (01. 50-21) This invention relates generally to apparatus for automatically regulating flow of various fluids. In a typical example the invention is incorporated in a pressure; regulator serving to supply fluid at a substantially constant pressure to a point of demand, and from a relatively higher pressure source of fluid supply. In another example disclosed herein, the invention automatically vents fluid from a source of supply under pressure, when the pressure from the source increases beyond a predetermined value.

Automatic pressure controllers or regulators generally make use of a valve member movable in opposite directions between open and closed positions, and which is actuated by a flexible diaphragm. A loading force, such as a spring, weight, or gas under pressure, is supplied to one side of the diaphragm, while the other side is subjected to a source of varying pressure, as for example pressure upon the outflow side of the device where it serves the purpose of maintaining a constant pressure upon the outflow side. In many instances loading by gas under pressure has been found preferable to the use of springs or weights. Such loading is more sensitive because of the absence of inertia eifects, and because the loading can be readily adjusted over a wide range. As an example of a simple type of pressure regulator making use of gas under pressure for loading the diaphragm, reference can be made to Foster and Thomas British Patent No. 12,999 of 1886. A highly practical and accurate regulator of this type is disclosed and claimed in' my Patent'No. 2,047,101, granted July 7, 1936.

Where the trapped gas under pressure for loading the diaphragm is carried within a dome mounted directly upon the regulator body, as is the case with the regulator disclosed in said Patent No. 2,047,101, uncontrolled temperature variations transmitted to the trapped gas within the dome, cause variations in loading which at times are undesirable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic flow controller or regulator of the type making use of gas under pressure for loading the diaphragm. and which will effect a temperature pressure control to produce certain desired results.

Further objects of th invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating apparatus for use in connection with the present invention, and intended primarily for maintaining a constant pressure upon the outflow side of the device.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating another apparatus for use in connection with the invention, intended as a back pressure or pressure relief regulator.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, showing an embodiment of the invention in which predetermined temperature changes are produced electrically.

Referring first to that form of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, it consists of a body I provided with inflow and outflow passages II and I2. Within the body there is a movable valve member l3, cooperating with the removable seat ring l4. The seat ring I4 is held in place by the ported sleeve it, which in turn is threaded into the lower end of the body. The lower end of the body is shown closed by plug l'l.

Valve member I3 is carried upon thelower end of a stem l8, and this stem is slidably accommodated within the guide bushing IS. A light compression spring 2| serves to urge the valve member closed with respect to the seat I4.

For controlling the movement of valve member l3 there is a flexible diaphragm 22 formed of suitable flexible material, such as resilient rubber or resilient synthetic rubber like Duprene" or Corprene. The lower side of the diaphragm 22 i engaged by the rigid plate 23, the center of which has abutting engagement with the upper end of stem IS. A light compression spring 20 retains plate 23 in engagement with the lower side of the diaphragm, and also serves to retain the plate 23 generally centered. V

In place of a dome secured to the main body part and extending over the diaphragm 22, I provide a heavy rigid flat plate 24, which can be formed of suitable material such as cold rolled steel. The peripheral edge portion of thi plate is clamped to an annular flange 28 provided on the body, as by means of bolts 21. Annular areas 28 and 29 formed respectively on the plate 24 and the upper face of body I0, form opposed clamping shoulders for squeezing and gripping 50 the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm 22,

thus affording a sealed joint. A comparatively small place or clearance 3| is provided between the lower face of the plate 24, and the upper face of" thediaphragm 22. Thus with a dia- 65 phragm in the neighborhood of 7 inches in diameter and in position corresponding to closed position oi the valve, this clearance may beoi the order oi a; oi an inch. As the diaphragm 22 moves downwardly to iorce the valve member II to open position, the clearance increases in accordance with the permissible travel oi the valve member. With a reasonable permissible travel of the valve member, as ior example a travel 01 the order or oi an. inch, it will be evident that the clearance is a minor fraction oi the travel 0! th diaphragm in moving the valve member between open and closed positions. Below the diaphragm 22 and plate 2;, there is a clearance or space I2 oi ample dimension to permit the necessary downward flexing movement oi the diaphragm. This space is shown connected to the outflow side I! by the unrestricted duct II.

As representative of an external source or loading pressure I have shown a pressure flask II, which is suitably constructed in accordance with the pressure requirements, A small tube or pipe as is shown having its one end connected to flask 34, and its other end connected to the plate it by fitting 31. In order to secure operation iree irom fluttering or chattering, a flow restricting oriflce ll establishes communication between the space SI and pipe 38. As an example oi dimensioning which can be used in practice, the opening a can be of the order of of an inch, where the diaphragm is oi the order of '1 inches diameter and the clearance ll of the order of oi an inch, as previously specifled. For the purpose oi adjusting or varying the pressure in flask 34, a small fltting I! is shown, having a needle valve II or other form 01 shut-oil. By opening valve ll one may introduce additional gas into flask 84, or may bleed gas from the flask, thus altering the pressure to the value desired.

Operation of the apparatus described above can be outlined as follows: The inlet II is connected to a source or gas or other fluid under pressure, while the outlet I! is connected to pipinginw chitisdesiredtomaintainapredetermined ower pressure. The pressure in the flasktlissettobesubstantiallythepressure desired upon the outlet side. Outlet pressure is maintained in the chamber I2 below the diaphragm, and thereiore when the outlet pressure ialls slightly below the pressure in space ii, the diaphragm is flexed downwardly to move the valve II to open position. Sudden flexing movements oi the diaphragm occurring when the diaphragm is in the proximity of the lower side 01' the plate 24, are accompanied by wide variations in pressure in space Ii, due to the flow restriction aiiorded by oriflce ii, and such varistions in the pressure acting downwardly upon the diaphragm prevent fluttering or chattering oi the valve member when in the proximity oi its closed position.

Thevolumeoigasinspaceflisrelatively small compared to the volume oi gas under pressure aflorded by the flask 3|. Thereiore should temperature changes occur to change the temperature oi gas in space I, such changes can not alter the mean eiiective pressure in this space. The flask 34 may be located at various distances irom the remainder oi the apparatu. and it may be insulated or housed so that temperature variations to which the regulator may be subjected, will have no eiiect whatsoever upon the flask. Means will be presently explained thereby controlling its the regulator. Fig. 3 shows an arrangement for controlling the temperature oi the flask. Thus the flask It is placed in heat transier relationship with respect to one or more electrical heating elements 44, ll and ll. At a remote point one may have switches 41, ll, and ll, by the closing oi which current may be supplied to the heating elements, irom the current supply source Ii. Thermostatic controls It, It and it set ior diiierent temperatures, may be associated with each oi the heating elements and thermally associated with the flask,whereby the flask is maintained at any one oi several predetermined temperature levels depending upon which one oi the switches ll, ll or II is closed. The temperature level maintained in this manner must be above atmospheric and below a level which might cause mechanical injury to the flask. By means of such an arrangement the pressure upon the outflow side oi the apparatus can be regulated irom a remote pressure and operation oi point.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment oi the invention applied to a back pressure or pressure reliet valve. In this case the body I is provided with inlet and outlet openings 81 and I8, and within the body there is a valve member ll cooperating with the seat ll. Extending over the upper side of the body there is a crowned plate 82, the flanged periphery oi which is clamped to an annular flange provided on the body. as by means oi bolts II. The flexible diaphragm ll has its peripheral edge portion clamped between annular portions oi the plate '2 and the body, and the central portion oi the diaphragm is apertured to receive the fltting N. The upper side oi the diaphragm is engaged by the circular diaphragm plate ll. and the center oi this plate is apertured to accommodate the flttings CI. The upper end portion oi the fltting II is threaded to receive a clamping nut II. The lower side oi the diaphragm is engaged by the rigid disc OI. which in turn is engaged by the annular collar 1 I, iormed on the fltting II. The fltting II is provided with a central bore 1!, into which is threaded the guide bushing 18. The stem ll, attached to valve member I, extends loosely through the bushing 13, and has its upper and carrying a collar IO, whereby a certain amount oi lost motion is aiiorded between the valve stem and fltting It. A small compression spring I1 is seated upon the upper end oi stem II, and normally urges this stem downwardly.

The upper side oi the body ll is counterbored to receive the annular flller plate It, and this plate is threaded to receive the threaded sleeve II. The outer diameter 01' sleeve II is substantially less than the diameter oi the disc 0, whereby disc I! may seat flrmly upon the plate II. The lower end oi sleeve ll engages and retains the annular seat ring IL- Overiying the plate I, there is a second plate Ii, which is oi an external diameter substantially equal to the eiiective diameter oi the diaphragm. The central portion oi the plate II is provided with an opening 8!, only slightly larger in diameter than the diameter oi disc I. Because oi the proximity oi the upper iace of plate it with the lower iaee oi the diaphragm ll, the diaphragm either contacts directly with the upper iace oi the plate II or is in relatively close proximity with this plate, when the valve member'll is for controlling the temperature oi the flask. 7:; closed. The space '0 above the diaphragm is shown connected by a tube or pipe 81, with the external flask 88, the temperature of which can be controlled as in Fig. 3.

In operating the apparatus of Fig. 2, ,the source of pressure or pressure tank with which the apparatus is used, is connected to the inlet 51. The outlet 58 may discharge directly into the atmosphere, or to a bleed-oil system of piping. The main pressure in chamber 86 will be set in accordance with the pressure of gas in the flask 88. Pressure on the inlet side is transmitted to the lower side of the diaphragm, and when this inlet pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the diaphragm is forced upwardly to move the valve 59 to open or partially open position. When the pressure on the inlet side again falls below the predetermined value for which the apparatus is set, the diaphragm flexes downwardly to close the valve 59, and arrest further discharge of fluid.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for controlling flow of fluid, a body having inflow and outflow openings, a valve member disposed within said body and movable in opposite directions to control flow of fluid through the body, a flexible diaphragm arranged to control movements of the valve member, means forming a closed gas chamber on one side of the diaphragm whereby gas under pressure in said chamber exerts a loading force upon the diaphragm, a closed flask adapted to contain a predetermined amount of gas under pressure, the volumetric capacity of said flask being substantially greater than the volumetric capacity of said chamber, electrical means for heating the flask, and means for controlling said electrical means to maintain the temperature of the flask at a desired temperature level above atmospheric.

2. In apparatus for controlling flow oi fluid, a body having inflow and outflow openings, a valve member disposed within said body and movable in opposite directions to control flow of fluid through the body, a flexible diaphragm arranged to control movements of the valve member,

means forming a closed gas chamber on one side of the diaphragm whereby gas under pressure in said chamber exerts a loading force upon the diaphragm, a closed flask adapted to contain a predetermined amount of gas under pressure, the volumetric capacity of said flask being substantially greater than the volumetric capacity 01' said chamber, electrical means for heating the flask, and means for controlling said electrical means to maintain the temperature of the flask at any one of a plurality of temperature levels above atmospheric.

3. In apparatus for controlling flow of fluid, a body having inflow and outflow openings, a valve member disposed within said body and movable in opposite directions to control flow oi. fluid through the body, a flexible diaphragm arranged to control movements of the valve member, means including a closed chamber in communication with the space on one side or the diaphragm whereby gas under pressure in said chamber exerts a loading force upon the diaphragm, electrical means for heating the gas in said chamber, and means for controlling said electrical means to maintain the temperature or the flask at any one or a plurality of temperature levels above atmospheric.

' MARVIN H. GROVE. 

